July 27 Letter

Hey y'all! What's up? Glad to hear everything's going good that way, nice to know. we had a busy week which is way good. We had exchanges with the assistants which was cool. We were able to set 2 baptismal dates with people this week which was way sweet. The one guy is just golden but the only problem is that he is sick a lot because he is recovering from a heart attack. Anywase, that was cool. But ya, we had some pretty cool teaching experiences this week. One of them was when we were leaving a less active members house and Elder Clark heard a lady crying (I couldn't hear it because you know I'm because I'm deaf, so it's a good thing he is serving with me, haha) and he was like "Elder, should we go talk to her?" and I was like "Uh, ya!" so we did. It was wau cool becuase we told her that we felt prompted and inspired to come and see her and that we were represetatives of Jesus Christ, and then she started crying and opended up to us. This was Elder Clark's first time ever experiencing this, so he was kinda scared, so I kinda did most of the talking. Basically we taught her that she was a daughter of God and that Jesus christ knew what she was going through (she was having a lot of problems with her family and other things and was very devastated). You could tell she appreciated it and that she knew that God loved her no matter what, you know. Anywase, it was way cool. we are going back to see her on Saturday. But ya, there have been a lot of miracles happening here. So everbody is excited, it's cool, I like it. But ya, you know how my patriarchal blessing says how my work ethic will inspire my companions, well, Elder Clark is kind of a layed back missionary and he has never jumped 6 feet (meaning teaching 40 lessons a week or getting 140 otm's which are street contacts) so he was relly excited, I saw him change you know, he became more dilligent. So it was way cool. We worked really hard and saw a lot of miracles and that made him excited too. He told me that his faith grew this week. So it's been a rewarding past couple of weeks. Anywase, I might need some money for some new pants because some of my pants are just falling apart now and it's only been in the last week, and I don't care what you say, I still feel bad. But they have a Stage retail store, it's like a TJ Maxx you know, so they have nice name brand clothes for discount prices a lot like a JC Penney. So I figured I'd just buy some pants there, they should last a couple more months. Anywase, I will talk to ya later. Ok, thanks for everything. By.

Loves, Elder Silcock

July 20 Letter

Hey what's up, and ya, I got the pictures on saturday and man, everybody has changed a loy, holy cow! Man, I can't believe Anniston has hair that long, it's just wierd, I've missed out on all of it, dang! Anywase, just a regular week for me too. It seems like it just flew by, I don't know where it went, but you know I guess that's supposed to happen. But ya, the new mission president is way cool. He is very loving and there is a big difference between him and President seal. President Merkley is very humble and loving while on the other hand President seal was very bold and at the same time loving. Just cool how people can have 2 different Christlike attributes but still be loving, you know it's cool, I think.

(* I am leaving out this part of Skyler's letter because I didn't think you would be interested in his detailed list of things he needs. Although I do think it is funny that he wants me to send him some Isagenix drink mixes for weight loss. He is worried that he will be coming back fat and wants to be able to fit into all of his old clothes! Anyway, back to his letter.) but ya, I think that's about it for now, so I will talk to ya next week. And oh, remember the Chapman's in Springfield? Well, they are still making chicken and dumplings and when I went to Springfield to Zone conference I stopped by and they gave me some left overs. So that was way sweet, anywase, just thought you would like to know that, haha!!!
Loves, Elder Silcock

July 13 Letter

Hey what's up? About the stuff you could send me, I could probably use some white shirts. And I don't know how the whole ctr clothing thing works, but some of my sirts are pretty worn and stuff, so I could probably use some new ones and I like the ones they gave me because they are athletic fit and I like it, so maybe you could figure something out there. But I'd rather get them from there than from another store, you know what I mean. Anywase, I think that's it. And I can't relly think about what to say for the family reunion, just tell them I'm too busy to tell stories, so I will save them for when I get home. Anywase, tell everyone I said hi and stuff. that's so cool that all the reservoirs are over 100% full, definitly a blessing. Anywase, I got to go so hopefully I'm not leaving anything out, there is just not much to talk about. We are gonna meet the Merkley's (new mission president) for the first time this Thursday, so that's cool, looking forward to that. I guess they are changing things around quite a bit, so it's kind of a weird transition right now. Anywase, I will talk to ya later.
Loves, Elder Silcock

July 6 Letter

Hey what's up, man, that was a long email. (I re-sent last weeks to Skyler so he got it this time) Sounds like there is alot of drama in that Ward back home. You know it's funny of all the people that should be in there to handle the situation it should be Dad. Because he will be staight up with ya and won't take any crap from anybody and that is the Christ like attribute of humility!! That's why I think Dad could easily be a bishop. Dad is on good relations with the ward (for the most part). Anywase you can just see why Dad is in there right now. Anywase that's good that Chris is gettin' his house started. Man 6 months before it's done, man if he doesn't hurry and build it that means I might have to help build it, tell him to hurry, haha!! Ya, anywase we didn't really do anything fun on the 4th. You see, us, as missionarys don't get holidays off, apparently we should be able to get into homes and teach families. Well I'm not gona put a limit on God, but man, on holidays nobody wants to hear us, but we sill go out and try, you know the whole faith and works principle. So anyways I'm just glad it's my last 4th of July on my mission. But ya, we still had a pretty good week. The area is very pretty. There are alot of big hills, I guess you and I would call them buttes, but here they call them mountains, haha! And it's really green just like all my other areas, and Mt. Home is the same size as Burley, so sometimes it makes me feel at home, kinda funny, huh. But ya, I like it here and oh ya, I'm driving a car now after all I went through to get my bike fixed, haha!! Anywase I still use my bike alot, my comp, Elder Clark is from Flagstaff, Arizona and he is about as big as me, but about an inch shorter and 20 or 30 pounds lighter(I have more muscle than him) and he wants to be a Marine when he gets home, so I use my bike every once in a while to help get him prepared. Let's put it this way, he has a long way to go, but hey, small and simple things, right. But ya, he is really fun we get along great. But ya, hope I dint leave anything out. Anywase hope you have a good week and hope everything gets settled between the Teeters and the Downs'. Anywase, talk to ya later.
ok, by!!

p.s
Dad, if you get a truck I would prefer you get a 7.3 because that was Fords best diesel. The reason I say don't get the 6.0 is because, yes, they do have problems and are not as reliable as a 7.3. Now they can be fixed, but I know you wouldn't want to put those aftermarket parts on a truck to fix it. So I think your best bet is to get a 7.3. And if i were you I would buy the truck and depending on how many miles it has, rebuild the transmission and the engine(and this is if it has say more than 150,000 miles on it). The reason I say that is because the 7.3 is indeed a work truck and people tend to use it just like you use your truck. Now this is just cheap insurance. If you did that, have a rebuilt engine and transmission + all the other powertraine and suspension systems, it would be a brand new truck and be more reliable than the one you would buy brand new from a dealer. Now that's just my opinion you don't have to listen to me, but that's what I want to do when I get home because it can be cheaper to buy a used truck and put, I don't know, $10,000 + or - into it, you can still end up on top if you know the right people which I know you do. And if you did go buy a 6.0 there are afermarket parts for it that still keep it reliable and if you talk to the techs at the Ford dealership they will install it for you so it won't void the warranty. Now that's just some dealerships. I don't know if they are all like that. But some of these aftermarket parts are better than stock and are more reliable. The 6.0 is a very good engine and have been out now since 2003 so there are companys that know alot about them and what their faults are, it's just a matter of researching what ever you feel like doing. And no matter what you do, your truck could still end up in the shop even a 7.3. For example your truck hasn't had too many problems, but someone else who does might have had several problems with them. So you see it's a gamble no matter which way you go. But anywase don't just listen to me, there are people out there who know more than I do this is just my opinion and it would make since to me to do the 7.3. and oh, if you do the 7.3, I don't know if it will get the gas mileage your 6.0 does, but again there is the aftermarket and it won't be too much different than yours, but I'm pretty sure they could get less, don't take my word for it. Anywase, good luck buyin' your next truck! Talk to ya later. If your have anymore questions you can write me or have Mom email me. So, talk to ya later.

June 29 Letter - Skyler's transfer

Hey what's up. Glad you got my packages, that was all of them. The one is full of letters and the other is full of ties and the other clothes I won't wear on a mission, haha!! Anywase here is my new address:

229 Hillcrest Rd.
Mountain Home, AR 72653

So ya, you better wright me and send me pics and stuff now, now there is no excuse, haha. Anywase today is kinda wierd. I'm driving a car again, wierd, we get a new mission president today, wierd, and some of my past companions went home this last weekend with transfers. Man it's wierd, everything is changing here. I got to stop in Springfield and say hi to some people on the way to Mt. Home, so that made it all worth it. But that's pretty much been my week, good but just plain weird. It's amazing how things change so quickly. Anywase hope things are goin' good for y'all because I never got an email from ya (* just a note to our readers to let you know we did send an email, but for some reason Skyler didn't get it, go figure, I hate it when that happens!!) and by the way I ended up just fixing my bike, it wasn't reasonable to buy a new one and with the money I saved I was able to send that stuff home which I've been needing to send home for forever. Anywase, I will be looking for the letters and pictures and stuff. Talk to ya later!
Loves, Elder Silcock